Asheville Half Marathon

Wow its been a long while!

So much has happened that I don't even want to start to have a recap and bore you with all the details. But for the sake of not blogging for 2 months; I'll make it a quickie!! I had an amazing rest of summer including a bunch of trips to the beach with friends, a trip with Drew's family to the Outerbanks, a trip (or two) to Edisto, the start of my FINAL SEMESTER of law school (and school of any sort for that matter--unless I decide to get my PhD ha!), moving into a new wonderful house, Scout growing to 20 lbs (well 19--but rounding up), running, dying my hair back to it's natural color and really just attempting to balance life while welcoming the change of season :)!

Scout is Growing :)

As for this past weekend--I am so happy to report that I actually finished the Asheville Half Marathon!! This half was by far the hardest, most challenging, hilliest (or mountainous), and most beautiful race I have ever run.  Seriously, I never knew that Asheville was so mountainous but I guess next time I sign up for a race I need to check the map first!  It was a definite challenge but with a little help from friends we all got across the finish line with smiles on our faces :)

Asheville Rocks :)

Our Bibs complete with preparation: Gu Gels and 

awesome headbands (the first ones I have tried that don't slip!!)

PreRace Pic

Post Race Picture!

Got to Love Ali's sign ;)

Finished the Race!

Feeling good after brunch @ Tupelo Honey :)

Asheville is a gorgeous city with a very diverse population!  I was probably 8 years old the last time I was in Asheville, so I never got to quite realize the beauty of the town.  It was the perfect town to have a girls weekend away!! Christina and I had planned on doing a race out of town for about a year--and when this race came up we decided to hop on it and plan a girls weekend away with Ali and Kendall!

Getting ready to go out :)

Dinner Night!

Christina, Me and Ali :)

All of us 

Showing our Asheville Love--please note the 

small incline behind us, that was nothing!

Since moving and starting school, I have been so busy that I have started to feel like I have been losing touch with my girl friends!  It happens every beginning of the semester when I am trying to get in the groove of things--so this weekend was a wonderful chance to reconnect and just have fun with the girls!!  We went out to some of the most amazing restaurants--goat cheese stuffed figs I think are my new favorite thing ever--and got to tour around a bunch of breweries (and had a wine tasting too)!  All and all it was a wonderful weekend and I absolutely can't wait for the next one--need to plan around another awesome city with a half marathon ;)

Our Final Night, So Pretty!

Waterfest 2012

Happy Monday!

This weekend marks the end of Waterfest 2012.  I was lucky enough to be able to go to both weekends of Waterfest in Beaufort, SC this year.  Waterfest is a wonderful time filled with sun, boats, drinks and dancing! Waterfest marks the peak of summer--which means that the end of summer is approaching (but I plan on keeping in the summer spirit as long as possible!).  It was another gorgeous weekend filled with good times with great friends.

First weekend with the Clemson Crew

Wha what?!

Another nice Saturday!

Me and Drew at the Concert

Waterfest 2012

Before going to the concert on Friday evening, Drew and I stopped by his parents' sailboat to have a drink.  I have never seen their boat and was very excited to finally get a chance to go on it.  Last year his parents have took their boat to the Bahamas and enjoyed a few months of sailing around the Caribbean!  I think it sounds like the perfect vacation or way of life--just have to work for a few more decades before I can do it--but its something to aspire to right?!  It was wonderful to get to see them, even if it was brief!

Drew's Parents Boat

(one on the left side of the dock)

Crazy Weather!

The weekend was definitely fun, but exhausting as well.  Weekends like Waterfest are always worth it, but do take a toll. So I am looking forward to some down time the next few weekends and my body definitely welcomes some rest!

Scout was tuckered!

After our weekend adventure, Drew and I went to the new house to unload more boxes and unpack most of our belongings---so close to move in!! After our unpacking I was starving and decided to whip up a big pasta dinner before the Bachelorette.  Drew and I rarely eat pasta, but after trying to eat everything in the pantry before our big move we dove into some awesome angel hair with mussels--making me crave more pasta last night.  It was the perfect meal to watch Emily pick Jef :)!!

Thursday Pasta...

Sunday Pasta :)

Hope everyone had an eventful weekend and has a wonderful start to the work week!

Moving and a Running Puppy

Hi!  I have been on a hiatus from blogging because I have been slammed with moving from apartment to Drew's house to my new house!  It truly has been a chaotic few weeks and will continue to be until we are finally settled :)

Drew and I got the chance to fly up to Maryland to visit with my family and then be able to bring a ton of furniture back to Charleston from my parents.  I seriously can't thank my parents enough for being so generous--we got two couches, chairs with ottomans, numerous tables and side tables, pictures, and even a grill :).  It was wonderful to be able to spend sometime with my family even though it was only for a day! Drew and I then took the 500 plus mile trek back down south to move our newly acquired furniture into our new home.

Moving Break to go to a Nationals Game :)

Since we had a wonderful, big, yellow truck we used it to move me out of my apartment and move Drew's bigger furniture.  It was great to be able to move so much stuff--but it does mean that I have been camping out at Drew's while we wait to be able to finally make the big move! And believe me I cannot wait to finally have all my stuff in one place again (you never realize how nice that is).  It was a stressful few days, but I am happy that all my stuff is mostly at the new place (still in boxes--but still there)!

Some of my stuff...ek!

Drew and our moving truck

The month of July has really flown by, I know that for most people summer flies by and goodness it most certainly has this year!  I have made some amazing memories this past month and am forever happy that I have such great friends (and have even been able to catch up with old friends too).

Last weekend, a bunch of my college friends and I went to Waterfest in Beaufort.  Waterfest is such a fun time and I have been fortunate enough to be able to go for the past 4 years (thank you Brandon)!  It is a great time where people anchor out at the sandbar and hang out until the evening where there are concerts going on in the park.  It truly brings out the best in the low country and is by far one of my favorite times of the year!

As for the end of the recap--I don't like having to recap since I have been absent so long, but figure it is better to than not--it has been an amazing July and I can't wait to enjoy every last bit of the next few weeks of summer!

This past week (meaning starting Monday) I decided to finally get my booty in gear and start getting back into a routine of working out.  I have been interning at a law office in the mornings, which has really put a stop to my working out on the reg.  A lot of the classes I enjoy are only offered at times in the mornings, which means that I miss them and since it is the dead of summer it is really hard to run in the afternoons (excuses, excuses I know).  Since I had this week off of work I decided to use it to my benefit and get back into action.  I love group classes, especially body attack and body pump, the classes definitely make you push harder than if you were on your own.  While doing group classes, I still try to get my run on and have been trying to be more consistent in running (seriously don't understand how it is so difficult this time to get back into training mode).

Scout has become my running buddy! I have been getting her to run with me in the mornings during part of our morning walk (usually around a half mile).  After I told Drew about it he got excited and decided to take her for a run with him last night...I had to go to class so missed out on the family run :(. To my surprise she ran 2 miles with him!! I have always been too nervous to run with her because I have read reviews that say that you shouldn't take puppies for runs (even though they have so much energy), but I the vet did reassure me that it is alright to run with her (even good to) and that she will let me know when it is enough.  So with the good news I took the little one on a nice 2 mile run this morning and she was an awesome runner--having 4 legs is a perk!

Scout before run...

Scout after run!

After our run, I decided to whip up some chicken salad! Chicken salad has become a staple in my summer diet.  It is wonderful because it is so easy and cheap to make and makes a ton (saving a lot of money) as well as super delicious!  I did splurge on this batch of chicken salad--and got green grapes (though red makes it look prettier) and slivered almonds! I usually just omit the almonds if they aren't on sale and use raisins rather than grapes to save a few dollas, but hey you only live once--go crazy and get grapes!

Homemade chicken salad--very green!

Of course I had it on a bed of lettuce 

(love me some salad on salad)

Side of Apple and Cottage Cheese to finish off lunch!

Unfortunately, today is the same as how the rest of the week has been--off and on showers--so I will be a busy studying girl inside, rather than at the pool or beach (hard life right?!).  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday--just think tomorrow is Friday and the weekend :)

Scout is my little study partner!

Another Sunny Weekend in Charleston

I hope everyone had a wonderful and sunny weekend!  It was gorgeous in Charleston all last week and continued into the weekend...and now it's a rainy Monday (but as long as it's not a rainy weekend--I'm a happy girl).  This weekend was great and I definitely took advantage of the sunshine :)

The weekend started early--on Friday afternoon--with a walk downtown with Scout and Grant.  Grant has been the best uncle to Scout and quickly became one of her favorite playmates :).  We walked down the battery, where Scout attempted to jump off it numerous times, and wore Scout out in the heat (water was in hand).   It was a great and relaxing way to start the weekend.  Later that night, we all went to Red's to meet up with Tess and little Turks for a couple beers and snacks!  I do love a corona light with lime in the summer :)

Battery :)

Scout loving the water!

Grant and Scout

Scout and Turks partying at Red's

Saturday was a busy day filled with bridesmaid's fitting, lunch at kickin chicken, long day on Folly Beach, group dinner at mexican restaurant, playing apples to apples into the wee-hours and finished off with Drew coming home :)!!! I would have to say that Saturday was absolutely fabulous and definitely took advantage of the 24 hours in the day (okay or 18 hours)!

Starting my day with breakfast of champions:

Egg white omelet with edamame, sausage and goat cheese :)

Ashton at Mexi with a Marga-rona

Grant aka Dr. Dolittle

Scout anxiously waiting her Dad's arrival

It is great that Drew is finally back into town :).  We decided after a Costco run to have a fun day on the boat and boat up to Morris Island.  Scout absolutely loves the water and was a quick learner and swam the day away (or at least got to swim a little bit--but major improvement from a few weeks ago)! So proud that we got a water dog :)

The boys trying to get Scout in

Scout and her Pops

He's finally home :)

She is one tuckered girl at the end of her Sunday :)

We were all tuckered by the end of the day, but saved enough energy to whip up a delicious meal.  I have to admit when Drew was gone my dinners consisted of a lot of popcorn and sweets--I'm guessing that I sought comfort in his absence by devouring carb-y, sweet deliciousness ha...just kidding! But our dinner Sunday night definitely was taster and healthier than the past week's dinners. It was cajan night with red beans and rice and sauteed shrimp with vidalia onion and red pepper aka um um good :)

Sunday Night Supper :)

Have a wonderful Monday :)

Week Alone with the Puppy!

Eventful week--I can't believe that it is already the end of June (or about to be) and that it is officially the start of summer!!! May was the slowest month for me, but June just flew right by me (crazy how that happens)!

Drew has been out of town this week--on a fishing trip to the Keys with a bunch of his guy friends--which left me alone with Miss Scout.  At first, I was very nervous because I know that she is a handful and since she is a puppy, she needs a lot of attention and I was scared I wouldn't be able to give her all the attention that she needed as well as keeping my sanity.  It was quite the adjustment in the beginning of the week (waking up at 6 am and taking a puppy out, feeding her, taking her back out, walking her--cleaning up her accidents inside the apartment, cleaning up her throw up and entertaining her all before 7 am=quite a change in my normal routine of waking up at 7:30!).  But I am happy to say that I have adjusted and little Scout and I are in a nice little routine :)

Scout at 6 am--at least it is light out :)

Crazy little lady loves her leash (needs some training ha)

Wishbone legs on a walk :)

Crazy Early Riser Pup

 (nice little shave from the spaying)

She is such a treat to be around and though I do feel bad whenever I leave her--I know that some time apart is good for her!  I have a very eventful weekend ahead, so getting some added help from the boys (they are going to take her to the farmers market--very willingly, think they will pick up girls ha!), will be amazing! As much as I love having some girl time with her--I am more than excited for Drew to return so that I have a partner in crime with the little one.

Girl's night watching the Bachelorette

This week in Charleston has been filed with clear skies and lots of sunshine.  Yesterday, Grant, Laura and I went to Sullivan's Island for a late afternoon beach trip.  It was really hot outside but the breeze off the water felt amazing.  I enjoy going later in the afternoon because you can get more things done during the day and also don't get as sunburnt (I say win, win)!  

After our short beach trip, we all headed back to get ready for happy hour downtown to celebrate Laura's new job!!  I was originally planning on going to happy hour with my girlfriends, which we have made a weekly tradition, but with Laura's exciting news we had a switch in normal girls night!  A group of us went to Pearlz for happy hour (seriously amazing specials), I got there after happy hour, but they were nice enough to order for me before 7!  After finishing up at Pearlz, the gang headed to Rooftop where I got to meet up with the girls.  Rooftop was especially gorgeous last night and was a real pleasant time catching up with everyone.  We all chatted about the upcoming weekend--and how exciting Saturday morning will be (Bridesmaids dress fitting for Megan and Brandon's wedding)! 

Old Man saying inappropriate things to us 

before taking our picture!

The Group on Rooftop--I love my friends!

Charleston Skyline (steeples and all)

It was an amazing Thursday evening and the perfect leeway into Friday and the weekend! I am so ready for the weekend to be here--and for that boy of mine to finally be home! 

Happy Friday! 

Love, Scout